For those interested in performing practical or laboratory alchemy there
are two books written in the modern era that are indispensable. These
two were written in the twentieth century by practicing alchemists. Both
authors give good instruction as to what a budding alchemist will need
for a modern alchemical workshop, and they even discuss some of the most
basic techniques in spagyric (spa-geer-ic) or plant alchemy, which is
traditionally the first type of alchemy that is worked with by an alchemist.

The first book that we are going to look at is, The Alchemist’s
Handbook by Frater Albertus (Albert Reidel), a major contribution to alchemy
in modern times. The author covers the basic principals of alchemy, gives
directions for setting up a home alchemical laboratory with illustrations
of the basic equipment, and also gives step-by-step instructions for working
within the plant kingdom. The chapters of the book are as follows:

Forward

Preface to the First Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Chapter I: Introduction to Alchemy

Chapter II: The Lesser Circulation

Chapter III: The Herbal Elixir

Chapter IV: Medicinal Uses

Chapter V: Herbs and Stars

Chapter VI: Symbols in Alchemy

Chapter VII: Wisdom of the Sages

Conclusion

Appendix

Alchemical Manifesto

The Forward to the book was written by the noted Golden Dawn magician
Israel Regardie, in which he describes this book on alchemy as “…
unique and a genuine masterpiece.” After this Forward there are
two Prefaces that give the reader an idea as to how to best use the book
and the material in it.

Chapter One is an introduction to alchemy. Frater Albertus describes alchemy
in the most basic of terms so that anyone picking up this book will have
a working idea as to just what alchemy is. He compares alchemy and modern
chemistry, and discusses the prevalent attitudes towards alchemy in the
modern day. The real meat of the book though comes in Chapters Two through
Five, in which Frater Albertus describes how to set up an alchemical laboratory,
the processes to gather the herbs to be used and to begin working with
them alchemically. Also, he discusses the medicinal uses of the elixirs
or tinctures that can be made using the herbs and processes discussed
in the previous chapter. Then Frater Albertus discusses the planetary
relationship that many herbs have and how to use this relationship in
making elixirs and tinctures. Frater Albertus gives us a chapter on the
various sigils and symbols used in alchemy along with their meanings.
This section of the book is highly illustrated with these sigils and ciphers.

The rest of the book contains a basic description of the next phase of
alchemy, metals, from a Rosicrucian document written in 1777. After this
chapter, Frater Albertus gives his conclusions on how to continue the
work. Finally, there is an appendix and a manifesto that help promote
the use of alchemy in modern times.

The Alchemist’s Handbook should be on any alchemist’s shelf
whether you practice spiritual alchemy or practical alchemy. The style
of the heart of the book is like a textbook on chemistry in some regards,
which is what Frater Albertus was aiming for as a means to demystify the
art of alchemy. He brings the ancient art into the modern world by linking
the old art of alchemy with the more modern practices of chemistry.

The second book that we will discuss is Manfred M. Junius’, The
Practical Handbook of Plant Alchemy. Manfred M. Junius is a former biology
professor who also served as the production manager of spagyrics for Australerba
Laboratories and was head of the Australian School of Ayurveda in Adelaide.
His training and knowledge of western alchemy came from many years of
personal instruction from the Swiss alchemist Augusto Pincaldi.

The book is similar to Albertus’ The Alchemist’s Handbook,
but has a bit more detail in the operations dealing with the plant kingdom
and the making of plant elixirs. Junius gives a fairly good overview of
what spagyrics are and how to obtain them in a step-by-step manner. The
chapters are as follows:

Preface

Spagyria and Spagyrics

Advice of Basilius Valentinus

The Three Philosophical Principles and the Elements

Mercury, Sulfur, and Salt in the Plant World

The Extraction of the Three Philosophical Principles from Plants1. The Extraction of the Essential Oils, That Is, of the Volatile Sulfur
2. Mercury
3. Fixed Sulfur and Its Salt
4. Salt

The Stars

Preparation of Spagyric Tinctures and Essences

Circulation

The Plant Magistery of Paracelsus

The Circulatum Minus Urbigerus

Elixir – Clyssus – Vegetable Stone

Alchemical Signs and Symbols

Old Weights

Epilogue: How Can We Heal?

Notes

Bibliography

Just to hit on the overall highlights of the book, the author gets to
the real meat of the subject in chapters four through eight, in which
he discusses in detail the making of a tincture from a plant using the
various techniques available to the alchemist. These are covered in some
detail in chapter five. In some cases, the details can be a bit overwhelming
and having a practical class or two in general chemistry really helps
to understand what Junius is discussing with these techniques.

Chapter six, The Stars, presents the idea that the alchemist should also
be something of an astrologer too. Junius shows that astrology and alchemy
are closely linked using archetypical forces of the universe. He discusses
how the various astrological effects of Sol and Luna have on living organisms,
and how in plant alchemy the effects of these two heavenly bodies, along
with the other ancient planets has an affect on the alchemical operation.
Junius gives a break down of each of the planets and the plants associated
with them from an alchemical medicinal view. Further in the chapter, he
discusses the use of the planetary hours to begin the alchemical operation
and even the casting of astrological horoscope for the outcome of the
operation.

In chapter ten, he looks at a classic work of alchemy, The Circulatum
Minus Urbigerus, which was originally printed in 1690. The various aphorisms
of the original are used to illustrate the practical laboratory technique
that Junius later explains following these aphorisms. This chapter illustrates
the ability of Junius to thoroughly discuss the material so that a person
wanting to follow an older text would be able to.

Finally, in the epilogue, Junius approaches alchemical tinctures and elixirs
pretty much as Paracelsus did over 450 years ago. Diagnose the illness,
and treat it with the suitable tincture or elixir after creating it. He
also cautions that this sort of work in the healing area should be undertaken
only with great care, but that it could be done with the aid of those
around the alchemist.

This book is full of various drawings and illustrations of alchemical
as well as chemistry equipment showing not only what it looks like, but
also some of the basic techniques used to create these tinctures and elixirs.
There are also many older illustrations from older alchemical works showing
the various phases and ideals of the work, not to mention Junius has included
a rather in depth list of signs and symbols used in alchemy in one chapter
that would be useful for the practicing alchemist. Even though there are
some complex descriptions and techniques in Junius’ book, it should
be on the bookshelf of any practicing alchemist, or more likely, like
Albertus’ The Alchemist’s Handbook, will be open as a reference
for the practicing alchemist.